Integral jack strip for pattern wheel knitting machines

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a unitary flexible strip of material having a base portion and a plurality of inclined vertical projections each in the shape of a pattern wheel jack. Each jack-shaped projection has score lines on it which permit one or two parts to be broken off. The base is placed on the hub of a pattern wheel with each projection being contained within a jack slot of the wheel. The projections thus serve the purpose of conventional jacks. Before placing the strip in the pattern wheel, various parts of selected projections are broken off. If no part of a projection is broken off, it functions as a full jack. If a first part is broken off, it functions as a half jack, and if a second part is broken off, the respective slot in the wheel is not filled (as if no jack were placed in it). Once a particular pattern is set by suitably arranging the projections, the strip may be removed from the wheel when there is no immediate need for it. In order to establish the same pattern again, the strip may be replaced in the pattern wheel with a minimum of effort.

United States Patent [1 1 Rozner INTEGRAL JACK STRIP FOR PATTERN WHEEL KNITTING MACHINES [75] Inventor: Allan Rozner, Fresh Meadow, NY.

[73] Assignee: C. J. l. Industries, Inc., Jersey City,

[22] Filed: Sept. 29, 1972 211 Appl No.: 293,351

[52] US. Cl 66/50 A [51] Int. Cl D04b 15/76 [58] Field of Search 66/50 A, 25, I56. 40, 50 B, 66/50 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,166,920 l/l965 Mishcon 66/50 R 3,683,645 8/l972 Audia 3,740,972 6/l973 Langham 66/50 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 430.106 6/l926 Germany 66/50 A 176,236 3/1922 United Kingdom l. 66/50 A 267,66] 3/l927 United Kingdom 66/50 R 799,965 8/l958 United Kingdom 66/156 l,l97,346 7/l970 United Kingdom 66/50 R 1 July 15, 1975 Primary ExaminerWm. Carter Reynolds Attorney, Agent, or FirmGottlieb, Rackman, Reisman & Kirsch [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a unitary flexible strip of material having a base portion and a plurality of inclined vertical projections each in the shape of a pattern wheel jack. Each jack-shaped projection has score lines on it which permit one or two parts to be broken off. The base is placed on the hub of a pattern wheel with each projection being contained within a jack slot of the wheel. The projections thus serve the purpose of conventional jacks. Before placing the strip in the pattern wheel, various parts of selected projections are broken 05. If no part of a projection is broken off, it functions as a full jack. If a first part is broken off, it functions as a half jack and if a second part is broken off, the respective slot in the wheel is not filled (as if no jack were placed in it). Once a particular pattern is set by suitably arranging the projections, the strip may be removed from the wheel when there is no immediate need for it. In order to establish the same pattern again, the strip may be replaced in the pattern wheel with a minimum of effort.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures INTEGRAL JACK STRIP FOR PATTERN WHEEL KNITTING MACHINES This invention relates to pattern wheels for knitting machines, and more particularly to integral jack strips for use therewith.

A "pattern wheel" type of knitting machine includes a plurality of pattern wheels, one for each of the yarn feeds on the machine. to drive the knitting needles in accordance with a predetermined sequence of opera tion. All of the pattern wheels rotate through the main block of the machine where they come into sequential contact with the knitting needle carriage, which itself rotates about the central axis of the machine.

Each pattern wheel is provided with a plurality of radial slots. each of which contains individual segments known as jacks the slot may contain a full jack, a halfjack, or no jack at all, depending upon the pattern which the respective knitting needles are designed to generate. When a particular slot and its contained jack, if any, rotates into contact with an individual knitting needle, the needle is caused to travel a distance dependent upon the type of jack in that slot. If a full jack is contained in a slot. the needle is driven to the maximum extent and completes a full knitting stitch. If a halfjack is in the slot, a tuck or welt stitch results since the needle is driven only half way; this stitch creates a lleck in the finished knitwear. If the slot is empty, the knitting needle is not driven at all and the yarn at that particular location remains behind the face of the fabric. The jack sequence. and thus the sequential movement of the knitting needles, is determined by the particular knitting pattern which is desired.

The jacks are small individual elements, and are generally inserted into the slots ofeach pattern wheel manually; a half or full jack is inserted into each slot which requires one. in accordance with the pattern to be knitted. Since a typical pattern wheel might have 120 or 140 slots and atypical machine may have 24. 36 or 48 pattern wheels. it is apparent that the insertion of indi vidual jacks is an extremely laborious process. Typically, two days may be required to load all of the necessary jacks in respective wheels for a given pattern.

In practice. after a pattern has been run on a knitting machine and is no longer required at the moment. it is not economical to keep the jacks in the slots of a set of pattern wheels. since the wheels are quite expensive it is not usual for knitters to preserve extra sets of filled pattern wheels. Accordingly. most knittcrs dismantle their pattern wheels after having knitted a complete order for a customer. However, if the customer later reorders that pattern. as frequently occurs, the entire process of setting the various jacks into the slots must be performed again.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a substitute for the conventional jacks which overcomes the aforesaid disadvantages of the prior art.

It is also an object of my invention to furnish an integral arrangement of jacks for pattern wheel knitting machines which will permit relatively rapid running of a previously-run pattern on such machines.

In accordance with the principles of my invention, I provide a unitary. flexible strip of plastic or metal. The strip has a thin, narrow and elongated base with a series of closely spaced inclined vertical projections each having the shape ofa full jack capable of suitably filling a conventional pattern wheel radial slot. Each of the projections also has two sets of score lines which allow it to be broken in either oftwo different places. Ifa first outer part of a projection is broken off, the remaining portion resembles a conventional halfjack. If a second inner part of a projection is broken off. only a stub remains. and as will become apparent below, the projection does not function as a jack when it takes its place in a pattern wheel i.e.. this arrangement is used when no jack is desired for a particular slot.

In order to load a pattern wheel with the integral jack strip of this invention after a jack pattern has been determined and the necessary parts of the various projections are broken off, the top of the wheel is removed and the strip is bent circularly around the central hub of the wheel base; successive projections are concurrently placed in the slots around the periphery of the wheel. (In the case ofa projection which has been substantially broken away. the respective slot is effectively left unfilled.) The full, half and eliminated projections thereafter function as the three conventional slot-filling types ofjack.

After loading, a pattern is run on the machine, following which the respective strip for each pattern wheel may be removed and stored away. Should a particular pattern be required again, all that is necessary is to remove the appropriate set of strips (one for each wheel) from storage and load them onto corresponding pattern wheels. With this invention this can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. rather than days as is required by the prior art.

It is therefore a feature of an embodiment of my invention to provide an integral strip of jack-like elements for use in a pattern wheel knitting machine.

It is a further feature ofan embodiment of this invention that a base strip is formed with a plurality of projections extending perpendicularly therefrom, it being possible to break away one or two parts ofeach projection so that it can function in the wheel of a pattern wheel knitting machine as a full jack, a halfjack. or no jack at all.

It is also a feature of an embodiment ofthis invention that the jacks for a pattern wheel knitting machine are formed on strips for integral loading into and unloading from respective pattern wheels.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. depicts a typical pattern wheel knitting machine on which the present invention may be used;

FIG. 2 is a side view ofa typical pattern wheel used in the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the pattern wheel taken through the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3A is a partial sectional view taken through the line 3A-3A of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the unitary strip of the invention in its originally formed condition with no parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the unitary strip of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the unitary strip of the invention showing three individual projections and the manner in which parts can be broken away from each so as to permit each projection to act as a different type of jack.

A conventional circular knitting machine 10 is shown in FIG. I, having a plurality of yarn packages or cones 12 mounted on respective projecting arms. The yarn 14 which is drawn from each cone passes through a respective guide and lint-remover element 23 and then through a respective tensioning device 16. Each of tensioning devices 16 serves to reduce or eliminate tension in its yarn element as it passes toward a knitting needle. thus reducing the incidence of yarn tears. The guides 23 are mounted on respective arms 2] which project from lower central ring 22, while the tensioning devices 16 are mounted on respective arms 20 which project from upper central ring 18. The two central rings 18 and 22 are mounted on post 26.

After passing through guide 23 and tensioning device 16, each yarn 14 passes around a standard feed post 28 on the knitting machine and is then fed to a respective knitting needle in the fabric-forming part of the machine. The finished knitted fabric, in tubular form, is indicated by the numeral 30, immediately beneath a plurality of inclined pattern wheels 40. Each pattern wheel turns around its axis with its various jacks in the slots thereof controlling movements of respective needles inside the machine, as is known in the art.

Pattern wheel 40 of FIG. 2, which is slantmounted within the body of machine 10 (see FIG. 1). is a conventional element and includes a bottom or base plate 46 and a top plate 47. The bottom plate has a plurality of inclined fins 46d, as seen most clearly in FIG. 3. which are separated by slots 46c. Bottom plate 46 also has a central upwardly extending huh 46a. and top plate 47 is provided with a central opening which accommodates hub 46a therethrough. After jacks are loaded into slots 46c. plates 46 and 47 are tightened against each other by conventional screws (not shown). The pattern wheel is then mounted on internal bracket 42 by first placing a bushing 44 through a central hole in the bottom plate 46. The bushing includes a flange 44a and a central cylindrical shaft 44b. The pattern wheel can then be secured to the bracket by a pin mechanism 48 which is coaxial with hub 44!). These assembly and mounting steps are largely conventional and are well known in the art.

The integral jack strips of the present invention are used with a conventional pattern wheel in lieu of the conventional jacks. Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom plate includes a central circular hub 46b of relatively large diameter. with an annular section 460 around and below it. Projecting outwardly from section 46c are a plurality of inclined fins 46:! which define slots 46c. Normally. the conventional full and half jacks are placed within respective slots 460 with their bottom edges resting on annular surface 460 and with their rearward edges abutting the vertical wall which defines the junction of huh 46b and annular section 46c. (This wall exists by virtue of the fact that hub 46b is raised relative to annular section 46c.)

In accordance with the principles of this invention, and with particular reference to H08. 4 and 6, a strip 58 is provided having a base 60 of flexible plastic or metal material from which a plurality of projections 62 extend. Each of the projections is substantially in the shape of a full jack and is inclined at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of base 60 as seen most clearly in FlGS. 4-6 this angle, as seen for example in FIG. 5, is arranged so as to permit projections 62 to be received within correspondingly inclined slots 46e of pattern wheel 40.

The manner in which projections 62 function as jack elements for a pattern wheel can best be described by first considering FIG. 6. A conventional full jack may have the shape of projection 62-1 in FIG. 6. It is apparent that if base 60 is wrapped around the hub formed between surfaces 461: and 460 in FIG. 3. then a first elongated part of each inclined projection 62 (from base 60 to part 6241) rests with its lower edge on surface 461', with a second forward section or part 620 disposed at the forward end ofthe first part and extending downward into one of the slots 46 at the periphery of plate 46. The front surface 62g of full jack 62-1 is the surface which contacts the needles inside the machine to cause a full knitting stitch to be generated. It is therefore apparent that projection 62-1 drives the knitting needles the greatest distance. as is generally done with conventional jacks.

Each jack projection 62 includes score lines 62b as shown on jack projection 62-l in FIG. 6. When a projection 62 is to be used as a full jack, the complete jack structure is permitted to remain intact. However. the jack is provided with a first removable section 62: which includes the upper portion of downwardly extending section 62a; ifthe forward section 62c of a projcction is broken away along the score lines 6211. the remaining projection is substantially in the shape of a conventional halfjack. as shown by the numeral 62-2 in FIG. 6. In this case. the front-most surface ofthe jack which contacts the knitting needles is that shown by numeral 620, since segment 62(' has been removed. taking surface 62g with it. The needles contacted by half-jack surface 620 are therefore driven approximately only half as fas as they are driven by full jack surface 62g. this results in the formation of a conventional tuck or welt stitch.

Each projection 62 also includes rearward score lines 62fas shown on projections 62-l and 62-2 in FIG. 6 defining a second removable section forward of said lines. lfthc forward end of a projection is broken away along score lines 62f, only a small stub 62d of the projection remains, as shown in the case or projection 62-3 in FIG. 6. In effect. such a projection functions as if no jack at all is present in a pattern wheel slot, since no contact will be made between stub 62d and any knitting needles. ln this case, no stitch is formed and the yarn remains behind the face of the fabric.

The first step in utilizing the present invention in volves the conventional determination of the jack pat tern for each pattern wheel in a given set of pattern wheels. For an individual pattern wheel, the particular sequence of slots being filled with full or halfjacks or being left empty. is determined. Thereafter, a corre sponding integral jack strip is prepared in accordance with this invention. Thus. an integral strip 58 is initially selected which has a number ofprojections 62 equal to the number of slots in the wheel. Each projection 62 is either left in its original condition to form full jack 62-1, or broken along score lines 62b to form half-jack 62-2, or broken along score lines 62fto form no jack" or stub 62d. The strip 58, formed with the various appropriate projections is then placed on the base plate 46 of the pattern wheel. after the top plate is removed. Specifically. base portion 60 of strip 58 is placed against the ridge formed between upper surface 46b and lower annular surface 460 of plate 46. Projections 62, broken or left untouched as described above. are then placed into the corresponding slots 46e in wheel 40. The pattern wheel is then mounted into the main body of the knitting machine in conventional fashion. Considerable time has thereby been saved in comparison to the prior art's loading ofindividual jack elements into the pattern wheel slots. The top plate is then attached in the usual manner.

After the desired quantity of goods has been run on a given set of pattern wheels. and the same pattern is no longer required at that time. the integral strips 58 are removed from their respective pattern wheels and are conveniently stored due to their relatively small size and flexibility. storage of the strips is a simple matter. The strips can be suitably indexed for later retrieval.

lfthe same pattern is required once again, it only requires a few minutes to obtain the set of strips from storage. re-insert the strips in pattern wheels and to resume knitting ofthe same pattern. Not only is there no expense in storing the jack patterns, but the time required to completely install the previously prepared strips on a set of pattern wheels is substantially reduced in comparison to preparing and installing individual jack elements in pattern wheels. Furthermore, use of the strips 58 also requires less time to set up a pattern initially than is needed with the individual jacks of the prior art. Each projection can be broken away along either of the two sets of score lines with the use of small tweezers or other suitable tool, and then the remaining full or half projections can be inserted into respective 6 slots relatively easily as the base strip is wrapped around the central hub of the base plate of the pattern wheel.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment it is to be understood that this embodiment is mcrely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made therein and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

I. An integral jack strip for a pattern wheel with peripheral slots. comprising a flexible base adapted to be wrapped around a central hub ofthe pattern wheel, and a plurality of jack-shaped projections extending out wardly from said base, each of said projections being formed in the shape ofa full jack and being adapted to fill a respective one of said slots. wherein each of said projections includes first and second removable sections which can be broken away so that the remaining portion of said projections functions respectively as a halfjack or as a missing jack in the pattern wheel.

2. An integral jack strip for a pattern wheel in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said projections includes a first elongated part extending forwardly of said base and a second part disposed at the forward end of said first part for insertion into one of said slots of the pattern wheel. said first removable section of said projection including the uppermost portion of said second part. 

1. An integral jack strip for a pattern wheel with peripheral slots, comprising a flexible base adapted to be wrapped around a central hub of the pattern wheel, and a plurality of jack-shaped projections extending outwardly from said base, each of said projections being formed in the shape of a full jack and being adapted to fill a respective one of said slots, wherein each of said projections includes first and second removable sections which can be broken away so that the remaining portion of said projections functions respectively as a half jack or as a missing jack in the pattern wheel.
 2. An integral jack strip for a pattern wheel in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said projections includes a first elongated part extending forwardly of said base and a second part disposed at the forward end of said first part for insertion into one of said slots of the pattern wheel, said first removable section of said projection including the uppermost portion of said second part. 